MUSIC

Asian Number

• drama, dance, & music are inseparable.

Vocal Music

• music that uses the human voice.

Popular Music

• genres meant to appeal audiences, reflecting current & societal trends.

Emerging Forms

• China, Japan, Korea, & India have developed distinct music scenes shaping global pop culture.

Mandopop

• Mandarin Pop.

Jay Chou

• the “King of Mandopop.”

Jolin Tsai

• the most loved Mandopop artist in the 1970s.

Cantopop

• Cantonese pop from Hong Kong.

Hokkien Pop

• Taiwanese dialect; lively folk-influenced rhythms.

Inner Mongolian Pop

• includes throat singing, with morin khuur (horsehead violin, Mongolia’s national instrument.)

Earworm

• uses catchy melodies, also called “sticky music.”

Guzheng

• 21-string plucked zither; delicate, cascading tones. (Chordophone)

Erhu

• (Chordophone) two-stringed bowed instrument.

Pipa

• (Chordophone) four-stringed lute.

Dizi

• (Aerophone) bamboo flute with 6 finger holes; clear tones.

AKB48

• idol group, “idols you can meet.”

• AKB = “akiba” (their theater), 48 = amount of members

Arashi

• five member boy band formed in 1999.

Hikaru Utada

• bilingual singer-songwriter, debuted at 15.

Namie Amuro

• the “Queen of J-pop.”

  • singer, dancer, fashion icon; pop, R7B, hip-hop, electronic.

Shakuhachi

• (Aerophone) bamboo flute, meditative & natural tone.

Koto

• traditional Japanese zither with plucked strings. (Chordophone)

Shamisen

• (Chordophone) 3-stringed with sharp, percussive sound.

K-Pop

• known for impressive music videos.

  • blends pop, hip-hop, R7B, EDM.

BTS

• this group had a global phenomenon, lyrics on mental health and self-love.

  • fans: ARMY

BLACKPINK

• pop, hip-hop, EDM, trap.

  • fans: Blinks

Fierceness

• meaning of Pink in BLACKPINK.

Elegance

• meaning of “Black” in BLACKPINK.

EXO

• high-energy performances; versatile across pop, R&B, hip-hop, EDM.

  • the best group before BTS.

TWICE

• formed in 2015 by JYP.

  • catchy, bright, colorful songs and charming performances.

Gayageum

• (Chordophone) zither-like plucked instrument.

Haegum

• (Chordophone) bowed two-stringed instrument.

Janggu

• (Membranophone) hourglass-shaped drum.

Indi-Pop

• independent releases (not film soundtracks); blends sitar, tabla, flute with guitar, etc.

  • rose in 1990s.

Bollywood

• songs integral to Indian films; uses regional languages (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Bengali).

Chaiyya Chaiyya

• (1998) A.R. Rahman, filmed on moving train.

Tum Hi Ho

• (2018) folk-meets-contemporary from stree.

Kala Chashma

• (2016) upbeat Punjabi party hit.

Vaaste

• viral romantic song by Dhvani Bhanushali.